University of Delaware Athletics
University of Delaware
Hofstra
Field Hockey Clinched At Least a Share of CAA Regular Season Title in Senior Day Victory
10/23/2022 2:41:00 PM | Field Hockey
The six goals is a new season high for the Blue Hens.
"Today was a great offensive performance with six different goal scorers. It also showed us we have to be better on defense as Hofstra exposed us with the four chances they had," head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof said.
"As a coaching and support staff we want to give our team a big compliment as they have faced a lot of adversity all throughout this season and instead walking away from the challenges they choose to face, work-through and overcome them. For them to fight themselves back into this season and win five straight CAA games and winning the CAA Regular Season Title – or at least a share of it – should be celebrated and highlighted. As a program we were very excited to honor recently retired Rullo Stadium's Groundskeeper Ned Davis, celebrate Seniors Ashlyn Carr and Morgan Rigual with their families and many field hockey alumnae and fans in attendance. Also a big thank you to the marching band for adding to our game day experience at Rullo Stadium."
After dropping the conference opener to Monmouth, the Blue Hens finished conference play with five straight victories. In those five victories, the Blue Hens scored 12 goals in the second half or later, including eight goals in the fourth quarter or OT.Prior to Sunday's game, the Blue Hens honored seniors Ashlyn Carr and Morgan Rigual. The field hockey program also named Ned Davis an Honorary Coach.
The Blue Hens got off to a fast start, scoring the game's first three goals.
The opening goal was scored by Rigual, her third of the season, in the game's 11th minute. Rigual received a pass from Izzy Rothwell, passed the diving Pride goalkeeper, and had a wide-open net. It was Rothwell's first assist of her Blue Hens career.
Emma Miller scored the game's second goal with under a minute to play in the first quarter. Miller deflected a Berber Bakermans shot past the diving goalkeeper. It was Miller's second goal of the season.
Rothwell scored her first career goal in the 18th minute of the second quarter. She received a pass to the inside of the attacking circle that deflected off the goalkeeper, made a move to her left, and shot the ball past the diving goalkeeper.
After the Pride cut the Blue Hens' lead to 3-2, Julia Duffhuis and Lisa Kater added goals in the third quarter.
Duffhuis' goal was scored in the 34th minute of the second half off a penalty corner, she was assisted by Bakermans and Carr. It was Duffhuis' eighth goal of the season, and Carr's eighth assist, both of which lead the team.
Kater scored her goal in the 39th minute of the second half. Bakermans passed the ball to Miller inside the attacking circle, Miller found Kater, who struck the ball to the back of the net. It was Kater's third goal of the season
In the fourth quarter, the Pride added some pressure, cutting the Blue Hens' lead to 5-4. However, Genevieve Johnson iced the game with a goal in the 57th minute off a penalty corner. Duffhuis and Lia Becker were credited with the assist. It was Johnson's first goal of the season.
The Blue Hens outshot the Pride 25-8, including a 14-4 shots-on-goal advantage. Lizzie Gaebel was credited with the decision and picked up her seventh win of the season. Bakermans had a season-high three assists in today's game.
The Blue Hens conclude the regular season with a road game against No. 24 Penn on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m.
For the latest on Delaware field hockey, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
